The offshore waters of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia are home to the lesser and greater amberjack. Amberjack fishing is done primarily on structure and vegetation both beneath and at the surface of the water. While each shares similarities, the two species are uniquely different. For some, the question always remains, what is the difference between greater amberjack and lesser amberjack?
Greater Amberjack
The greater amberjack, also known as the amberfish or AJ, is the larger version of the lesser AJ. Greater amberjack is notorious for its stamina and strength when hooked by anglers.
What Is The Range Of Greater Amberjack
When it comes to range, the fish is widely distributed along the eastern coast of the United States. The fish is most densely populated between Cape Hatteras and Florida but does extend as far north as Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
How To Identify Greater Amberjack
When it comes to identifying the greater amberjack, the differences between the greater and the smaller are subtle.
AJ’s are notorious for thick and heavy bodies. The lower portion of the greater amberjack is silver, and the upper brown. A yellow line extending from the head to the tail divides the color change.
Power is generated from the deeply forked tail. Lastly, a dark line passes through the eye and terminates at the beginning of the dorsal fin.
The greater AJ is a real bruiser when it comes to fishing. Be prepared for an intense game of tug of war. We have had the opportunity to catch a significant amount of greater amberjack and they lack no shortage of power.
How Big Do Greater Amberjack Grow
Amberjack congregates in schools. Schooling-sized fish average ten pounds. Anglers consistently catch thirty to sixty-pound AJ’s. Lastly, greater amberjack tips the scales at over 100 pounds.
How Is The Greater Amberjack Caught
The most effective method for catching AJ’s is by suspending live baits over underwater wrecks. The most effective live baits include google eyes, blue runners, pilchards, and ballyhoo.
Heavy rods and reels are required due to the size and strength of the fish. The minimum line weight is fifty pounds to avoid break-offs from greater amberjack diving for shelter in wrecks.
Are Greater Amberjack Good To Eat
Greater amberjack make excellent table fare. When describing the texture amberjack are firm. The amberjack flavor is buttery, and rich . Anglers prefer to smoke or grill greater AJ fillets when comparing lesser amberjack vs greater amberjack.
Lesser Amberjack
Nearly identical to the greater amberjack is, the lesser amberjack. Consider the lesser to be much like the name implies a smaller variety when looking at the lesser vs greater amberjack side by side.
What Is The Range Of A Lesser Amberjack
The lesser extends from Florida to Cape Cod much like the greater amberjack. Distribution is even across the fish’s range. You will be likely to encounter the fish in inshore and offshore waters.
How To Identify A Lesser Amberjack
When differentiating between the greater amberjack and the lesser AJ, keep in your mind the lesser is the offspring. Although the lesser is not the offspring, the appearance is nearly identical.
Again, the lesser AJ features a deeply forked tail, silver bottom half, and brown upper portion divided by a yellow line. The only difference except for size is the band through the eye. With close examination, the black bar ends before the beginning point of the dorsal fin.
How Big Do Lesser Amberjack Grow
In contrast to the bigger AJ, the smaller version of the amberjack grows up to twenty inches and rarely exceeds ten pounds.
When fishing for lesser amberjack ensure to check the lesser amberjack size limit before harvesting fish as it varies by waters including the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.
How Is The Lesser Amberjack Caught
The smaller amberjack species is found primarily along weed lines in offshore coastal waters. Anglers catch lesser AJ’s by casting small lures along sarggaso beds with light action spinning rods and reels. The fish is an excellent fighter, particularly with lightweight gear.
The most notable difference when greater amberjack vs lesser amberjack is the size of the gear. Lesser amberjack does not require heavy rods and reels.
Are Lesser Amberjack Good To Eat
When comparing the greater vs lesser amberjack, no lesser amberjack not good to eat. Unlike the greater amberjack, the lesser amberjack does not possess the same eating qualities because the fillets are thin, small, and, most importantly, lack flavor. Release the fish back into the sea because it is not the best amberjack taste.
So What Is The Most Sought After Amberjack
The most highly sought-after amberjack between the greater and lesser is the greater. Anglers primarily target greater amberjack because they combine excellent fighting capabilities with flavorful fillets when grilled or smoked. Due to its poor food qualities and size, anglers infrequently target the lesser variety. Remember to obtain a saltwater fishing license when venturing offshore for either of the amberjack species.
